Course Description

This course provides the student with the knowledge and abilities necessary for the lifelong habit of studying the Word of God. In this course, the student will be introduced to the various methods and tools necessary for a comprehensive study of Scripture. Emphasis is placed on developing a structured approach to examining, understanding, and applying the Scriptures.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The ability to properly read, interpret, and apply the Bible is foundational to vocational Christian ministry. The inductive method of Bible study taught in this course provides the student with principles and methods for a lifetime of effective and fruitful study in the Word of God.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. 1. Understand the relationship and movement between observation, interpretation, application, and correlation as a framework for applied hermeneutics.
   2. Use basic tools and resources for conducting Bible study.
   3. Identify basic elements of structure within the biblical text.
   4. Contextually interpret and apply Scripture.
   5. Generate word studies, starting with an English translation, in reference to the original language vocabulary.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings, assignment templates, and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus at liberty university, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Discussion Board Forums (3)

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided promptly for each forum. The student will participate in 3 Discussion Board Forums throughout the course. In preparation for each forum, the student will read the assigned chapters from Grudem et al’s. Understanding the Big Picture of the Bible. The thread must consist of at least 400 words, address all 3 of the prompted questions, and incorporate a minimum of 1 citation in the current Turabian format from the assigned textbook.

In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must consist of at least 200 words, address all 3 of the prompted questions, and incorporate a minimum of 1 citation in the current Turabian format from the assigned textbook.

Bible Study Assignments (2)

The student will complete specified assignments at the end of assigned chapters in Duvall & Hays’ Grasping God’s Word. The student will examine Bible passages, consult a commentary, and answer questions about the textbook material as directed.

Interpretive Journey Paper

The student will submit a 1,500–2,000-word paper using the provided template that demonstrates each of the 5 major steps of the interpretive method of Bible study. In addition to the Bible, this paper will require the use of Douglas & Tenney’s Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. The Interpretive Journey Paper must be written in the current Turabian format and reflect a personal and independent study of a selected passage of Scripture by including all 5 steps as well as a title page and bibliography.

Midterm and Final Exams

Each exam will cover content from the course materials. Each exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain 40 multiple-choice and 2 essay questions (which must be 400–600 words each with a word count included at the end), and have a 1-hour and 15-minute time limit.